Relocating to California? You’ll find plenty of things to do in Palos Verdes, from teeing it up at the famous Trump Golf Course Rancho Palos Verdes to sampling the finest dishes at the best restaurants in Rancho Palos Verdes.
But where do you start? Going for a hike at these scenic spots will acquaint you with the peninsula’s breathtaking beauty.
Here are some of the most picturesque places to visit in Palos Verdes.
Del Cerro Park
2 Park Place
Rancho Palos Verdes, CA 90275
Enjoy views of the surrounding canyons, coastal headlands, islands, and the Pacific from this popular hilltop park. Del Cerro features a grassy field, safety fence, and parking lot. Play Frisbee, go for a stroll, or roll out a blanket for a picnic with friends and family.
The park is also known for its wide, scenic, and easy to navigate trails, making it one of the best hiking spots in the peninsula. Keep an eye out for the rabbits, foxes, hawks, and other wildlife while out on the trails. The biodiversity of the park makes it an excellent spot for nature photography.
You can bring your dogs on a hike but they must be kept on a leash at all times.
Abalone Cove Shoreline Park
5970 Palos Verdes Dr S
Rancho Palos Verdes, CA 90275
If you’re looking for sand, sun, and surf, it doesn’t get any better than this oceanfront park, which features not one, but two beaches, in addition to tide pools, hiking trails, picnic areas, and parking space. You’ll get the best views of the Pacific and Catalina Island from the bluffs.
The two beaches on the site, Abalone Cove and Sacred Cove, are peaceful and relaxing. The tide pools offer shallow areas teeming with aquatic plants where you can wade into the water and observe marine life.
Guests may not remove any protected plants or wildlife from the park. Grilling and BBQs are not allowed in the picnic areas. Dogs must be kept on a leash.
Palos Verdes Estates Shoreline Preserve
Palos Verdes Dr W
Palos Verdes Estates, CA 90274
The preserve stretches along Palos Verdes’ bluff coves, from Malaga Cove on one end all the way through Lower Lunada Bay. The 1.4-mile bluff top trail in the preserve is an easy hike for visitors of all skill levels and offers stunning views of the surrounding areas.
The Paseo Del Mar Bluffs is one of the most popular stops in the preserve – visitors can listen to the sound of the waves breaking and pelicans flying overhead at the overlook.
There’s a steep unfenced trail that leads to the bottom and offers ocean access. However, hiking is not advisable when the trail is wet.
Point Fermin Park
807 Paseo Del Mar
San Pedro, CA 90731
Best known for its iconic lighthouse, Point Fermin Light, this small grassy park is nestled on top of a coastal bluff and commands scenic views of the Pacific and Palos Verdes’ rugged coastline. Go for a walk along the park’s serene trails to appreciate the view from different vantage points.
The park also has a playground, amphitheater, and picnic area where you can spend a quiet afternoon with friends and family.
Palos Verdes Beach
389 Paseo Del Mar
Palos Verdes Estates, CA 90274
This quiet beach is one of the best places to catch the sunset and watch surfers ride the waves in Palos Verdes. Clean and tranquil, it’s not as crowded as other beaches in the peninsula. Just walk down the ramp to the get to the coastline and enjoy the water.
There are also several cliffs to explore in the area, some of which allow you to climb down to the bottom of the beach, though the descent can be quite steep and treacherous.
Deane Dana Friendship Park & Nature Center
1805 W 9th St
San Pedro, CA 90732
The nature center has remarkable exhibits and animal presentations on native flora and fauna in the Palos Verdes Peninsula. But the highlight of the center is a walking path that overlooks San Pedro’s peaceful residential pockets and the ocean beyond. Go for a stroll and admire the view on a clear day to get the most out of your visit. The trails surrounding the center are also ideal for bird watching.
You’ll also find plenty of amenities on the site, including a children’s playground, picnic shelter, and BBQ area.
Live close to these outdoor attractions in Palos Verdes. Let the Stephen Haw Group help you find the perfect home – you can reach them at 310.503.9886 or Skh8828(at)gmail(dotted)com.